The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-09-22

AT AppOmatOX, IN spirit OF splendid
generosity, Grant would not take tho
sword of Lee, which would have been
as proud trophy as all the flags taken
on the battlefield. But Grant did not
stop there. He never did anything by
halves. He gave back to the confeder-
ates, after the surrender of Lee, their
artillery, cavalry and quarter-master
horses. They were our property by the
laws OF war, but Grant gave them back
to the men who an hour before stood ar
rayed in arms against the sovereignty of
the Republic; and to this hour no man
has uttered word of censure against
Grant for that act, and the civilized world
applauded his wise and generous con-
duct. And Sherman, not to be outdone
by Grant, went several bow shots furth
than Grant ever dreamed OF. He signed
convention with Joe Johnston, said TO
have been drawn by John G.. Brecken-
ridge, wherein it was stipulated that the
armed confederates under Johnston
should be allowed to march back to their
respective state capitals with flags flying
and drums beating their arms to be de-
posted in their state arsenals
The action of General Sherman was
repudiated by President Lincoln, and the
unconditional surrender OF Johnston's
army was the result but no one ever
doubted the loyalty of Sherman, because
of his mistake, and to day he is one of
the prime favorites of the public.
THE PENSIONS.
It is further charged that President
Cleveland vetoed general pension act.
So he did and so did President Grant
veto general pension act. The men
who started all this clamor against Cleve-
land, were silent when Grant did the
same thing. The only difference being
that Grant was Republican, and SO are
the men who raised the clamor against
Cleveland, who is Democrat.
There are those who seem to believe
that the National Treasury is a sort of
Aladdin's lamp, and that the President
is in possession Of Aladdia's magic ring,
which it is only necessary to rub against
| the lamp to cause streams OF money to
flow from the treasury into the pockets
of those who will take the trouble to
hold their pockets open wide enough to
let the dollars pour in. But, after all,
every well has its bottom, and when it is
reached the we'll is dry, And it may
not be amiss to remembers that every dol
lar in the treasury has been collected
from the people in the way of taxes, and
this fact is not wholly unworthy OF con-
sideration.
lam in favor Of giving liberal pensions
70 the men who put in jeopardy health,
limb and life to maintain the integrity
and glory of our country, But would it
not be wise to give the country chance
to.live alsof
Grant and Cleveland each vetoed
! general pension law and each did what
be believed 10 be his duty. Grant has
gone, but Cleveland stands at the helm
nf h1.u of Il 10 cafo
his guidance. He is as brave and true
as Andrew Jackson, and as the people
stood by Jackson, so should they stand
by Grover Cleveland,
| It has eyen been charged that the
President is not friend of the soldiers
Not friend of the soldiers! aver, and
will prove, that Grover Cleveland has
done more for the soldiers than any other
President since the close OF the Civil
War.
! This paper, which you see in my
hand, Is q carefully prepared statement
made from the public records by the
Honorable G. II. Rarger, L. 5, Pension
Agent for Ohio aud the facts | am about
to state are furnished by him.
During the twelve years of the admin
strations of Grant and Hayes, in which
period the Republicans controlled both
Houses OF Congress eight years those
. two presidents approved 7j6 special PEN
! years-the lower HQqs uemocratic-ap
proved S63 Special pension ACTS, or III
more than Grant and Hayes approved in
twelve years.
Again, during the last two years of Re-
publican administration, under President
Arthur, 129, ,5l7 pension certificates, of all
kinds, were issued; but in two years OF
President Cleveland's administration
, 268, 1897 pension certificates were i5sued
or more than twice as many as had been
issued UNDER Republican rule N the
same period af time:
When Nj. Parger took charge sof the
United States Pension Agency for Ohio
, in Angnst, 1885. there were 81 500 pen
sioners in this agency, but under Demo
cratic rule the number has increased tC
.. 39,50O by August. 1887, being an increase
| of 5000 in two years.
, During the year ending June 30 1888
, of Republican rule, the pensioners o.
! the Ohio agency received S566S 5000
for the yeaf eHding June 80, 1887, tn
Ohio pensioners received 81, ,483, ,217. IS
, or an increase OF nearly two millions
, Under Republican rule, for the year end
! ing June 80, 1888, the cost of paying
about five and a half millions to pen
, Democratic rule for the year ending june
. and half millions was $1,000 less thar
; he::Repuhlieans expended in 1883, when
l he Ohio pensions only AMOUNTED to
D Jout five aud a half millions
: The Democratic administration has
e be n generous to the soldiers and econ
' omical for the tax x,payer. Taking Grover
r Cleveland as their model workingman
I the employees OF the government have
i worked more and danced less than under
the free-and-work- system OF Repub-
, hc:sn office holders.
) Ours is great country, and our action
+ as citizens should be in harmony with
/ the grand simplicity OF its free institu
| tions.
: We are the only people who in sin
a gle lifetime ever saw Tree and powerful
d states and splendid cities, spring intc
9 existence in the midst OF the wilder
' ness.
|. With q population only one-sixth Al
) great as that Of Europe, we have NOR
8 miles OF railway; anu the annual amoun
: of tonnage which passes to and iron
! Lake Superior, and the vast West beyonC
: lit, through our caAal at the Sault Saint
i Marie, on the very edge Of the Republic
4 lis greater than the tonnage which annual
d Ily passes through the famed Canal Q
Suez. And it is for the American peopl
v to say whether this great and free gov
: ernment OF ours, alike without an equs
a or parallel In history, shall continue t
q be administrators it is now by Presiden
i Cleveland, in the interest of the Who'll
= paUple, and not for the exclusive benef
! 0 fraction of them, as under Republica
|, misrule,
1
: HERE Is what a Democratic administr
3 ton is doing for the soldier. A Was
[ ington special to the Cincinnati Enquir
says: "WllIiam ]. Shepherd, OF Philads
phia, has been allowed a pension ar
: back pay for q wound received twent